Prof. Asheer Jaywant Ram CA(SA), 34

Finalist: Transformative Leader | SAICA Top-35-Under-35 Awards 2025

Prof. Asheer Jaywant Ram is not only shaping the future of taxation education in South Africa — he’s redefining what it means to lead with purpose, precision and heart. As Associate Professor and Head of the Taxation Division at the Margo Steele School of Accountancy, University of the Witwatersrand, Asheer has become a beacon of transformative leadership in academia.

His journey began as a student tutor and SAICA academic trainee, where he first discovered the power of teaching and mentorship. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and gaining industry experience at Deloitte, Asheer returned to Wits in 2017, driven by a passion to uplift students and reimagine the academic experience. By 26, he was appointed Head of the Taxation Division — one of the youngest to hold such a position — and has since led with a vision rooted in collaboration, communication, and excellence.

Under his leadership, the Division has undergone a pedagogical revolution. Asheer replaced traditional slide-based lectures with interactive workbooks and concept mapping, fostering deeper critical thinking and aligning with SAICA’s CA of the Future framework. His redesign of postgraduate assessments shifted the focus from rote calculations to nuanced discussions, helping students understand not just the “how” but the “why” behind tax legislation.

Beyond the classroom, Asheer has built institutional memory through a shared digital repository, ensuring continuity and accessibility for staff. He’s mentored over 40 SAICA academic trainees and countless students, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in their own right. His commitment to transformation is evident in the Division’s demographics — 82% of permanent staff are people of colour and 64% are women — and in the promotion of Prof. Jane Ndlovu, the School’s first Black African female Associate Professor, whom Asheer mentored from student to scholar.

As a researcher, Asheer is a recognised thought leader in the cryptocurrency space, with 9 accredited journal articles, a co-authored book, 8 accredited conference papers and over 380 citations. His work has earned international acclaim, including a Best Paper Award at the Meditari Conference in Italy. He actively shares insights through media platforms like SAfm, Kayafm, SAICA’s Accountancy SA magazine, and SAIT’s TaxTalk magazine, bridging the gap between academia and public discourse.

His influence extends across the university, serving on the Tender Committee, Faculty Research and Innovation Committee, and Staffing and Promotions panels. He’s also led accreditation efforts with SAIT, opening new career pathways for students. Known affectionately by academic trainees as the “Gandalf of Structure,” Asheer’s meticulous nature and unwavering support have earned him accolades like Best Lecturer and the “Master of Order and All Things Awesome” award.

Asheer’s leadership philosophy is simple yet profound: “Pursue excellence and success will follow.” Through every lecture, mentorship session, and strategic initiative, he embodies this ethos — inspiring a generation of future-ready Chartered Accountants and proving that transformative leadership begins with service.